National Highways Authority of India

2021-09-03T07:03:38Z

2405:201:600B:EB33:A48C:159F:1783:9B5A:

{{Short description|Agency responsible for Road Construction and It's Management in India}}{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox organization
| image = National Highways Authority of India logo.svg
| caption = NHAI Logo
| map = India roadway map.svg
| motto = Not just Roads, building a Nation
| formation = 1995 (Act 1988)

<ref name=nhai-estd/>
| extinction =
| type = [[List of Government of India agencies|Government Agency]]
| status = Active
| purpose = Development and maintenance of [[National Highway (India)|National Highways]] and Expressways.

| headquarters = G-5&6, Sector-10, [[Dwarka, Delhi]]
| coords =
| language =
| leader_title = Chairman
| leader_name = Sukhbir Singh Sandhu [[Indian Administrative Service|(IAS)]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sanjeev-ranjan-named-road-transport-secretary-n-n-sinha-to-be-nhai-chief-5610134/| title=Sanjeev Ranjan named Road Transport Secretary, N N Sinha to be NHAI chief |date=4 March 2019}}</ref>
| leader_title2 = Member (Finance)
| leader_name2 = Asheesh Sharma [[Indian Administrative Service|(IAS)]]
| leader_title3 = Member (Projects)
| leader_name3 = R. K. Pandey
| leader_title4 = Member (Technical)
| leader_name4 = Mahabir Singh
| main_organ = Board of directors<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhai.org/contactus.asp|title=NHAI List of Board of Directors|publisher=NHAI|access-date=9 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117025926/http://www.nhai.org/contactus.asp|archive-date=17 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| affiliations =
| budget =
| remarks =
| name = National Highways Authority of India
| native_name = भारतीय राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग प्राधिकरण
| image_border =
| size = 200px
| msize = 200px
| mcaption = India National Highways Map
| abbreviation = NHAI
| location =
| region_served = {{flag|India}}
| membership =
| parent_organisation = [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]], Government of India
| sister_agency = [[National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited]],
| num_volunteers =
| website = [http://www.nhai.gov.in/ www.nhai.gov.in]
}}
[[File:Renumbered National Highways map of India (Schematic).jpg|alt=via Arun Ganesh|thumb|<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=http://dorth.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/9-6774713323.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=7 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816023220/http://dorth.gov.in/writereaddata/linkimages/9-6774713323.pdf |archive-date=16 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Rationalization of Numbering Systems of National Highway of India]]
[[File:NHAI Headquarters.jpg|thumb|200px|Headquarters of the NHAI at Sector 10, Dwarka in New Delhi, India]]

The '''National Highways Authority of India''' ('''NHAI''') is an autonomous agency of the [[Government of India]], set up in 1995 (Act 1988) and is responsible for management of a network of over 50,000 km of [[National Highway (India)|National Highways]] out of 1,32,499 km in [[India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhai.org/roadnetwork.htm|title=NHAI Road Network|publisher=NHAI|access-date=9 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414094555/http://www.nhai.org/roadnetwork.htm|archive-date=14 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is a nodal agency of the [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]]. NHAI has signed a [[memorandum of understanding]] (MoU) with the [[Indian Space Research Organisation]] for satellite mapping of highways.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/nhai-to-sign-pact-with-isro-for-satellite-mapping-of-highways-115100200020_1.html|title=NHAI signs MoU|publisher=Business Standard|access-date=9 January 2016}}</ref> Sukhbir Singh Sandhu [[Indian Administrative Service|(IAS)]], is the present Chairman of NHAI since 28 October 2019.

==History==
The NHAI was created through the promulgation of the ''National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988''. Section 16(1) of the Act states that the function of NHAI is to develop, maintain and manage the national highways and any other highways vested in, or entrusted to, it by the Government of India. On 10 February 1995, NHAI came into operations and was formally made an [[Autonomous entity|autonomous]] body.<ref name=nhai-estd>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhai.org/estd.htm|title=NHAI Official Website|publisher=NHAI|access-date=9 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208191111/http://www.nhai.org/estd.htm|archive-date=8 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is responsible for the development, maintenance and management of National Highways, totaling over {{convert|92851.05|km|mi|abbr=on}} in length.<ref name=nhai-mandate>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhai.org/mandate.htm|title=NHAI Official Website|publisher=NHAI|access-date=9 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204094116/http://www.nhai.org/mandate.htm|archive-date=4 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The NHAI is also responsible of the toll collection on several highways.<ref>{{Cite news|title = NHAI plans toll collection at Kaniyur shortly|url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/nhai-plans-toll-collection-at-kaniyur-shortly/article7748870.ece|publisher=The Hindu|access-date=9 January 2016}}</ref> [[Yogendra Narain]] was the first Chairman of NHAI in 1988. He is a retired [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.

==Projects==
[[File:National highways India.JPG|thumb|right|200px|NHAI logo and caption]]
The NHAI has the mandate to implement the [[National Highways Development Project]] (NHDP). The NHDP is under implementation in Phases.<ref name=nhai-mandate/>
* Phase I: Approved in December 2000, at an estimated cost of ₹300 billion, it included the [[Golden Quadrilateral]] (GQ), portions of the [[North-South and East-West Corridor|NS-EW Corridors]], and connectivity of major ports to National Highways.
* Phase II: Approved in December 2003, at an estimated cost of ₹343 billion, it included the completion of the NS-EW corridors and another {{convert|486|km|mi|abbr=on}} of highways.
* Phase IIIA: This phase was approved in March 2005, at an estimated cost of ₹222 billion, it includes an upgrade to 4-lanes of {{convert|4,035|km|mi|abbr=on}}of National Highways.
* Phase IIIB: This was approved in April 2006, at an estimated cost of ₹543 billion, it includes an upgrade to 4-lanes of {{convert|8,074|km|mi|abbr=on}} of National Highways.
* Phase V: Approved in October 2006, it includes upgrades to 6-lanes for {{convert|6,500|km|mi|abbr=on}}, of which {{convert|5,700|km|mi|abbr=on}} is on the GQ. This phase is entirely on a DBFO basis.
* Phase VI: This phase, approved in November 2006, will develop {{convert|1,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of expressways at an estimated cost of ₹ 167 billion.
* Phase VII: This phase, approved in December 2007 will develop ring-roads, bypasses and flyovers to avoid traffic bottlenecks on selected stretches at a cost of ₹167 billion.

NHAI helps in implementing Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North Eastern Region (SARDP-NE); a project to upgrade National Highways connecting state capitals to 2 lanes or 4 lanes in the north-eastern region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mdoner.gov.in/writereaddata/eventimages/19.pdf|title=SARDP-NE |access-date=15 June 2011}}</ref>

===Golden Quadrilateral===
The [[Golden Quadrilateral]] is a highway network connecting many of the major industrial, agricultural and cultural centres of India. A [[quadrilateral]] of sorts is formed by connecting [[Chennai]], [[Kolkata]], [[Delhi]] and [[Mumbai]], and hence its name. The largest [[highway]] project in India and the fifth longest in the world was launched in 2001 by [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] and was completed in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/golden-quadrilateral-highway-network|title=Golden Quadrilateral Highway Network|publisher=Road Traffic Technology|access-date=15 June 2011}}</ref> It is part of the first phase of the [[National Highways Development Project]] (NHDP) and consisted of building {{convert|5846|km|mi|abbr=on}} four/six lane express highways at a cost of {{INRConvert|600|b}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhai.org/roadnetwork.htm|title=Indian Road network|publisher=National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)|access-date=15 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414094555/http://www.nhai.org/roadnetwork.htm|archive-date=14 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===North–South and East–West Corridor===
The [[North–South and East–West Corridor]] is part of the second phase of the [[National Highways Development Project]] (NHDP) and consists of building {{convert|7142|km|mi}} of four/six lane [[Expressways in India|expressways]] connecting [[Srinagar]] in the north and [[Kanyakumari]] & [[Kochi]] in the south, [[Porbandar]] in the west and [[Silchar]] in the east, at a cost of US$12.317 billion (at 1999 prices).<ref name=nhai1>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhai.org/nhdpmain_english.htm|title=NHDP programme|publisher=National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)|access-date=15 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075250/http://www.nhai.org/nhdpmain_english.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===National-Green-Highway-Mission===

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India has promulgated Green Highways (Plantations, Transplantations, Beautification, and Maintenance) Policy – 2015 on 29 September 2015 to develop green corridors along National Highways for sustainable environment and inclusive growth. The policy envisions"development of eco-friendly National Highways with the participation of the communities, farmers, NGOs, private sector, institutions, government agencies and the Forest Departments for economic growth and development in a sustainable manner."

Under the aegis of the Policy, development of green corridors is proposed along developed and upcoming National Highways in the width available in existing Right of Way (ROW) in the form of median and avenue plantations.

Roadside plantations have immense potential to enhance the green cover of the nation and generate employment opportunities for the rural community. Green Highways Division - under National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been entrusted with the task of planning, implementation and monitoring roadside plantations along one lakh km network of National Highways which would, in turn, generate one lakh direct employment opportunity in plantations sector in next ten years. For effective project planning, implementation and monitoring GHD has developed Guidelines and Vision Document.<ref>http://nationalgreenhighway.org/introduction-to-nghm</ref>

==Criticism==
A 2012 report prepared by the World Bank’s Institutional Integrity Unit alleged that fraudulent and corrupt practices were being followed by Indian contractors working on national highway projects funded by it, and sought a thorough investigation into the matter.<ref name=WorldBank/> The report also alleged that contractors paid bribes and gifts, including gold coins, to "influence the actions" of officials and consultants of the National Highways Authority of India.<ref name=WorldBank>{{cite news|title=Express Exclusive: World Bank cries fraud, graft in highways projects |url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/world-bank-cries-fraud-graft-in-highway.../931809/ |newspaper=Indian Express}}</ref>

Local bodies and major road owners - including PWD and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) - were criticized for depending on old technologies and outdated specifications for building and relaying roads.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/corporation-to-focus-on-public-transport/articleshow/60461148.cms|title=Corporation to focus on public transport}}</ref>

== New Numbering System ==
In March 2010, Government of India issued a new list of numbered routes with rationalized and systematic numbering. The East-west oriented highways are numbered odd starting from North and increasing towards South e.g, NH 1, NH 3,NH 27 etc. The even numbered routes are, similarly, drawn vertically going north to south, with numbers increasing from eastern to western parts of India e.g, NH 2, NH 6, NH 44 etc.

==Initiatives==

=== National Green Highways Program ===
The [[Ministry of Transport]] and NHAI launched the green highways program in 2016.<ref>http://nationalgreenhighway.org/ongoing-national-highway-development-project</ref><ref>http://www.nitingadkari.org/pages/PR-pdf/plantation_drive.pdf</ref><ref>https://iasexamportal.com/courses/environment/national-green-highway-mission</ref><ref>http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/content/415319/green-highways-plantation-maintenance-policy-2015/</ref><ref>https://www.governancenow.com/news/regular-story/finance-ministry-rejects-rs-5000-crore-green-fund-project-road-ministry-nhai</ref>

===Hari Path application===
The National Highways authority of India launched "Hari Path", a mobile application to monitor plantations along [[National highways of India|National Highways]]. It will also monitor species detail, target achievements and maintenance activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1647625|title=NHAI launches ‘Harit Path’ a mobile app to monitor plantation along national highways|website=Press Information bureau|access-date=2020-09-01}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of National Highways in India]]
* [[National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited]]
* [[Expressways of India]]
* [[Inland Waterways Authority of India]]
* [[Transport in India]]
* [[FASTag]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://nhai.gov.in National Highways Authority of India]
{{Transport in India}}
{{Indian Highways Network}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:National Highways Authority Of India}}
[[Category:Roads in India]]
[[Category:Road authorities]]
[[Category:Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]]
[[Category:National highways in India|Authority]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1995]]
[[Category:1995 establishments in Delhi]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Delhi]]

Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

National Highways Authority of India